Hot Topics:

In cases of conflict, help that translates well

Spanish American Center gets word out about free mediation support

By Peter Jasinski, pjasinski@sentinelandenterprise.com

Updated:
01/22/2016 06:53:59 AM EST

"In the court there are Spanish interpreters, but they aren't always available," said Susan O'Brien, the Spanish American Center's planner and grant writer. She is working to let local residents know about Spanish-language mediation support.
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / JOHN LOVE

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

LEOMINSTER -- Since partnering with Mediation Services of North Central Massachusetts last year, the Spanish American Center has been able to offer Spanish-language mediation support to non-native English speakers in the community.

The problem facing the center today is letting members of the community know this free resource exists and that it could be of help to them.

"We haven't really put the word out and there are still the unknowns. Some might be a little afraid and not know exactly what it means," said Sonia Rodriguez who, along with other five volunteers, was trained by Mediation Services last year.

According to Susan O'Brien, the center's planner and grant writer, mediation services are intended to provide an option for disagreeing parties looking to reach some kind of resolution outside of court.

Sonia Rodriguez, a bilingual mediator for the Spanish American Center in Leominster, talks about Spanish-language mediation services available to local residents.
SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE

Sentinel and Enterprise staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

This could include arguments between landlords and tenants, employees and employers, neighbors, or family members over issues that would otherwise be settled in small claims court.

While mediation services have long been an option for English speakers looking for an alternative to a court mandated decision, the situation is slightly different for people only able to speak Spanish.

"In the court there are Spanish interpreters, but they aren't always available," said O'Brien.

If an interpreter isn't available, the court date has to be rescheduled. Even if an interpreter were available, O'Brien said there would still be no guarantee of an outcome that would be acceptable to everyone involved.

Advertisement

By offering mediation services, Rodriguez and O'Brien hope to offer a more reliable option that is also free.

"Since the training has ended we've gotten people contacting us, but you can't do it unless both parties agree to come in," said O'Brien.

Thus far, the center has yet to get everyone involved in a mediation case to come into the center for a discussion, but the hope is that will change if the public knows more about what mediation offers.

"It's about finding a happy medium," said Rodriguez, who described mediators as being able to impartially guide a disagreement to the most positive outcome for everyone involved.

If an agreement is reached, the parties involved sign a form that states all terms and conditions. Though the form is not legally binding, O'Brien said violating the agreement would most likely land everyone back in court.

The Spanish American Center's mediation services can be reached at 978-534-3145 ext: 112.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sentinel and Enterprise. So keep it civil.